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Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Solar Power On-the-Go

When you’re out and about and using a mobile device, wouldn’t it be great to not have to worry about where the closest electrical outlet is? Well, you don’t have to. Many existing and new electronics stay charged from the power of the sun. And, they’re infinitely more powerful than the calculator you may have toted around in elementary school. Here are some cool solar powered devices worth checking out...

Calculators: At some point in their lives, many people have owned a small pocket calculator that ran off a tiny solar cell on its face. Pocket calculators require so little energy that these can operate even indoors, in marginal light conditions. Texas Instruments produced and popularized thousands of solar-powered calculators back in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Watches: At the same time solar calculators became popular, solar watches also became available. Design and technology have improved dramatically since then. These newer watches last as long as, or longer than, battery-powered watches and don’t require a trip to the jeweler for new batteries. They can store energy from the sun and ambient light so that even when the watch is in the dark or under a sleeve, it can last for months at a time—and recharge completely once there’s light again.

Flashlights and Lanterns:Solar flashlights allow you to store the sun’s power and light and use it in the dark. They tend to last longer and be more reliable than traditional flashlights, which have a habit of dying just when they’re needed. Most solar flashlights, which don’t require batteries for backup, also help protect the planet by not necessitating the production and subsequent disposal of batteries. Bumping up the light level a notch, solar lanterns can light up a dark room, house, campsite, or work area.

Chargers: Of course, many people now don’t need a calculator, watch, or flashlight—they rely on a smartphone for those features. That works as long as the smartphone is charged. But, if you’re traveling for either work or pleasure, scrambling for an outlet severely cuts into your time being there. Happily, solar power has that taken care of as well. A number of solar chargers make it possible for you to charge your phone (or tablet or e-reader) on the go; whether hiking and camping, or sitting outside and enjoying the sun.

Backpacks: Solar backpacks take solar chargers to a whole next level. With a higher capacity than a typical portable charger, backpacks allow hikers and campers to charge bigger devices more effectively, including cameras, flashes, GPS devices, and even laptops. A range of options cater to everyone from day-hikers who might need to make a phone call in an emergency to wildlife photographers or researchers who need to keep multiple devices charged and functional.

Camping Gear: Solar energy can power many conveniences and amenities at a campsite. Solar-powered showers have been around for years but now everything from solar-powered water purifiers, lanterns, coolers, and even stoves are available for those looking to increase their comfort without increasing their carbon footprint. If you’re into listening to music while in the outdoors, solar-powered speakers allow listeners to enjoy their music guilt- and carbon-free.

These innovative gadgets harness the sun to power some of your most essential electronics on-the-go. For your life at home, CleanChoice Energy supplies customers with 100% renewable energy from wind and solar power. Learn how you can make the switch to clean energy today.